Free Republic

Younger Evangelicals Where Will They Take the Christian Right? By Pam Chamberlain Last October a chartered bus rolled deep through the South, its passengers college-aged young people drawing inspiration from the Freedom Riders of the 1960s. The black vinyl advertising plastered on the side broadcast the riders’ goals, “Equality Ride 2008: Faith in Action: Social Justice for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered People.” The bus brought young LGBTQ activists and their allies face to face with students at 15 Christian colleges in an attempt to generate more acceptance of homosexuality at evangelical schools. 2008 was the third year of the...

Vatican unwilling to accept Obama ambassadors? April 03, 2009 An Italian journalist reports that the Vatican has quietly rejected three names put forward by the White House to fill the post of US ambassador to the Vatican. Mary Ann Glendon, the Bush administration ambassador, resigned the post in January when President Obama was inaugurated. The Vatican has, in the past, established a policy of declining to accept ambassadors who are Catholic but not in good standing with the Church.

Congratulations Dr. Rev. Katherine Ragsdale By Molly April 3, 2009 Better late than never on the coverage of this great news! On Monday, the Episcopal Divinity School of Cambridge, Massachusetts announced that NARAL Pro-Choice America's own (she's a board member) Dr. Rev. Katherine Ragsdale has been named the new president and dean of Episcopal Divinity School! And elected by unanimous vote, at that: Excellent news. Readers here might also remember that Rev. Ragsdale was on-the-ground in Birmingham, Alabama in July of 2007, covering the anti-choice protestors at the New Women All Women Health Clinic during the Alabama Reproductive Freedom Summer...

Obama campaign co-chair slams Cardinal George April 03, 2009 William M. Daley-- son of legendary Chicago mayor Richard J. Daley, brother of current mayor Richard M. Daley, US commerce secretary from 1997 to 2000, chairman of Al Gore’s 2000 presidential campaign, co-chairman of Barack Obama's presidential campaign, and a Catholic-- has harshly criticized Cardinal Francis George for opposing the University of Notre Dame’s decision to award President Barack Obama an honorary degree. “Cardinal Francis George recently said this invitation is an embarrassment to Catholics because the president disagrees with church doctrine on abortion and stem-cell research,” writes Daley. “But I...

Suicide a 'marvellous possibility' Ludwig Minelli, head of Dignitas, the assisted dying clinic in Switzerland, believes suicide is a 'marvelous possibility' and that the mentally ill should not be dissuaded from killing themselves. It would save the NHS such a lot of money if they succeeded, he told BBC Radio 4. This man has helped more than 40 Britons to kill themselves. Now that the dark, ugly underbelly of his agenda has been exposed, let's pray that the only suicide he has assisted this time is of the campaign to legalise euthanasia. Read on for the full interview on Today,...

Why Obama Is Losing a Faith By Michael Gerson Wednesday, April 1, 2009; Page A21 A number of Catholic thinkers set out a "pro-life, pro-Obama" position -- disagreeing with Obama's pro-choice views but trusting in his moderate instincts and conciliatory temperament. So far, Obama has done little to justify this faith. His initial actions on life issues -- Obama's Catholic supporters would feel betrayed and discredited -- and rightly so. The Catholic hierarchy and Catholic health professionals would feel assaulted by the president -- and they would be correct. And President Obama would not need to worry about future invitations...

Thomas Shaw, the Bishop of Massachusetts: “I am thrilled with the appointment of Katharine Ragsdale as the president and dean of EDS. She brings a wealth of small parish ministry to her new position and it is critical that the new president and dean be able to train and form parish priests for the growth of progressive parishes across the country. She brings a wealth of experience, talent and creativity to this new position.” Dr. Angela Bauer-Levesque, acting academic dean: “I am elated to have the Rev. Dr. Katherine Hancock Ragsdale join EDS as its first woman president and dean....

How radically pro-abortion is Katie Rags? This radically pro-abortion: And when a woman becomes pregnant within a loving, supportive, respectful relationship; has every option open to her; decides she does not wish to bear a child; and has access to a safe, affordable abortion - there is not a tragedy in sight -- only blessing. The ability to enjoy God's good gift of sexuality without compromising one's education, life's work, or ability to put to use God's gifts and call is simply blessing. These are the two things I want you, please, to remember - abortion is a blessing 254415_f520.jpg...

Condom distribution at church - UCC likes the idea Allie Martin - OneNewsNow - 3/31/2009 7:00:00 The Institute on Religion & Democracy is blasting the religious denomination of President Barack Obama for its recent stance on condom distribution inside houses of worship. Recently, the HIV and AIDS Network of the United Church of Christ (UCC) said condoms should be handed out at places of worship. The statement was issued during a presentation to the denomination's Wider Church Ministries Board and also advocated making condoms available at faith-based educational settings. A UCC executive said that condom distribution is a matter of...

Richard Dawkins says Pope is 'stupid' Richard Dawkins has described the Pope as "stupid" for claiming that the use of condoms could increase Africa's Aids problem. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/5088516/Richard-Dawkins-says-Pope-is-stupid.html

AU and ACLU Say Funds for Religious Univ. Unconstitutional By Americans United - 2 Hours Ago The Supreme Court of Kentucky should strike down a $10 million state appropriation for a university affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention, says Americans United for Separation of Church and State. Americans United has filed a friend-of-the-court brief along with the American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky challenging tax funding of the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Ky. “The Kentucky Constitution is clear on this matter,” said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United. “Tax money may not be used...

Obama Nominee Dawn Johnsen has a Catholic Problem By Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights , Protecting Catholicism - March 31, 2009 In a few weeks, the Senate will vote on the nomination of Dawn Johnsen to be assistant attorney general in charge of the Office of Legal Counsel. Catholic League president Bill Donohue says the Catholic community should be given a heads up: “As past staff counsel for the ACLU and legal director of NARAL (the most extreme pro-abortion group in the nation), Dawn Johnsen has done more than consort with the enemies of Catholicism—she has actively sought...

Hundreds of Thousands March For Life In Spain By Thaddeus M. Baklinski MADRID, March 31, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Hundreds of thousands of pro-life advocates filled the streets and plazas of cities throughout Spain on March 29 in protest against legislation proposed by the Spanish Socialist government to liberalize the country's abortion laws. The country-wide demonstrations were organized by Spain's pro-life associations Derecho a Vivir (Right to Life), Hazte Oír (Make Yourself Heard), Doctors for Life, and ProLife Madrid. The organizers estimated that 500,000 people took part in rallies in more than 80 cities across Spain, with AFP reporting an estimated...

Notre Dame Student Coalition to Hold Prayer Rally in Response to Obama Scandal on Sunday By John Jalsevac NOTRE DAME, IN, 31 March 2009 - The University of Notre Dame's student-formed coalition, Notre Dame Response, has announced plans for its first official demonstration in response to the Obama scandal. The prayer rally will take place at 2:00 PM on Sunday, April 5, 2009 and will be held in front of the University's Main Building following the noon Palm Sunday Mass at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. contin: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09040101.html

Thank you UK Muslims: Rowan Williams 28/03/2009 01:02:00 PM GMT src="http://islamicmediacity.com/cms_files/news_images/1238234391.jpg";> (nola.com) I think Islam has made a very significant contribution to getting a debate about religion into public life, Williams said. CAIRO — In an unprecedented move by a Western Christian leader, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams has praised British Muslims for bringing back religion and ethics into public life. "I think Islam has made a very significant contribution to getting a debate about religion into public life," Williams, the leader of the Anglican Church, told the Muslim News. "And I think it's very right that we should have...

Senator Casey Withdraws as Commencement Speaker at St. Vincent’s College By Deacon Keith Fournier 3/27/2009 Catholic Online (www.catholic.org) Did Senator Casey decide he did not want to face the flood of protests which would accompany his address? U.S. Sen. Robert Casey, D-Pa., has canceled his May 9 appearance without explanation. St. Vincent College spokesman Don Orlando says Casey gave no reason for canceling. U.S. Sen. Robert Casey, D-Pa., has canceled his May 9 appearance without explanation. St. Vincent College spokesman Don Orlando says Casey gave no reason for canceling. Senator Bob Casey Jr.’s father, the late, former Governor of Pennsylvania,...

Hillary Clinton leaves flowers for Our Lady of Guadalupe, asks ‘Who painted it?’ http://www.elmanana.com.mx/upload/foto/8/8/7/06A-02-SUN.JPG Mexico City, Mexico, Mar 27, 2009 / 04:59 pm (CNA).- During her recent visit to Mexico, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made an unexpected stop at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe and left a bouquet of white flowers “on behalf of the American people,” after asking who painted the famous image. The image of Our Lady of Guadalupe was miraculously imprinted by Mary on the tilma, or cloak, of St. Juan Diego in 1531. The image has numerous unexplainable phenomena, such as the...

Clinton to appear at Planned Parenthood event Doing a rare domestic political event, and continuing the Obama administration's forceful, if understated alliance with abortion-rights groups, Hillary Clinton will receive an award from Planned Parenthood Friday night in Houston, the group says. "The 2009 Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) Margaret Sanger Award, the organization’s highest honor, will be presented to U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, who has been a champion of women’s health and rights throughout her public service career," according to the release. Planned Parenthood president Cecile Richards is an old Clinton ally, and women's health was...

ND President's Religious Superior Says Jenkins "Fulfilling Responsibilities" of President By Kathleen Gilbert NOTRE DAME, Indiana, March 27, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Fr. David Tyson, C.S.C., Provencial of the University of Notre Dame and religious superior of ND president Fr. John Jenkins, today responded to questions about Jenkins' decision to back the invitation of Obama to speak at Notre Dame, saying that Jenkins is "fulfilling his responsibilities" as president of Notre Dame. Fr. Tyson is Fr. Jenkins' superior in the Congregation of the Holy Cross, a Rome-based order of priests and brothers who answer directly to the Pope, rather than the...

African AIDS experts voice support for Pope on condoms More than a week after the media attacked Pope Benedict XVI for his comments on condoms and AIDS, CNA is still hearing from experts around the world who support Benedict’s evaluation of the African AIDS epidemic. Dr. Filippo Ciantia, a Ugandan specialist in tropical medicine, along with eight other experts says that his experience resonates with the Pope’s statement. On Thursday, CNA received a letter from Dr. Filippo Ciantia, a representative of the Association of Volunteers in International Service and a former USAID policy advisor on HIV/AIDS, along with 8 other...